Fiji military gets new rules of engagement at checkpoints

Soldiers posted to police stations around Fiji from now onwards to help in the fight against violent crime will have new rules of engagement.

The military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, has told Radio Legend the soldiers will be armed but their weapons will be kept out of sight.

Major Leweni says the weapons will only be used when necessary.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Crimestoppers Unit, James Datta, says the army has assured him of zero tolerance towards violent criminal activity such as home invasions.

Mr Datta says soldiers will be monitoring all incoming telephone calls reporting crime and will be ready to assist police in their response.

The new measures come following overwhelming calls from the public to re-activate roadside army checkpoints because of the rapid rise in violent crime and home invasions since they were withdrawn last month.